Empowering Your Future.
Gain real-world skills, earn industry certifications, and prepare for a successful career in food service.
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Learn + Grow
We currently have two employability training program tracks. In our award-winning culinary program, students learn cooking, employability soft skills, and can earn ServSafe certifications - all while working in all areas of our cafe & coffee bar. Students in our retail training program learn customer service, inventory, stocking, employability soft skills and can earn Rise Up Industry-recognized and OSHA certifications.
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Real-World Experience
Get hands-on experience in a functioning cafe & coffee bar or retail shop! Students have the opportunity to work in all areas of each business and to make food and retail items which are sold in the businesses.
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Career Opportunities
According to O’Net, employment opportunities for cooks, baristas, and retail workers have a bright outlook. Job openings are projected to grow faster than average (employment increase of 5% or more) over the period 2024-2034 for the US nationwide.
How it all began
We have been training individuals who have disadvantages for work in the food service industry since 2016. We taught in "borrowed" commercial kitchens in church basements and schools. In 2018, we purchased the former Fowlerville Library and began the process of building our own space. In 2020, we began teaching all aspects of restaurant and coffee shop in our newly-completed building. In 2024, we acquired a new building, which has allowed us to build a store where we can offer all aspects of retail training.
Learn more ...
Click the “Apply” button above OR email torch180@torch180.org.
The process…
If you are working with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, let your counselor know you are interested in participating in a Torch 180 program.
Attend a Lunch & Learn session - which are offered on the second and fourth Thursday each month.
Request and attend an interview.
About the Programs
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Program Levels
There are two levels of programming for each occupation that each run one semester. Semesters at Torch 180 run from January-June, and from July-December.
Students advance from Level One to Level Two and from Level Two to Level Three, if instructors and students agree they are a good fit for the next level. If everyone agrees the student is ready for employment after one term, applications can be filled out with Torch 180 instructors and the student will be assisted in getting a job.
Level Three in the culinary program is a competency-based paid apprenticeship which typically lasts up to two years.
Level Three in Retail is a Management program which can run from one to two semesters.
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Culinary Program
Level One - basic cooking and soft skills. ServSafe Food Handler certification. Students learn knife handling skills, basic baking, culinary math, cleaning and sanitizing.
Level Two - intermediate cooking and soft skills. ServSafe Food Allergens certification. Students learn intermediate baking, cooking on the grill line, barista skills, culinary math, cash register skills, serving and cleaning and sanitizing.
Level Three - Cook apprenticeship. ServSafe Food Manager certification. Management courses.
Level Three - Barista apprenticeship. ServSafe Food Manager certification. Coffee and baked goods preparation, customer service.
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Retail Program
Level One - basic retail principles - cashiering, customer service, inventory and loss prevention, stocking procedures. Preparation for national standards test.
Level Two - intermediate retail principles - personal selling, merchandise display, cashiering, customer service, store operations. OSHA certification preparation.
Level Three - First line supervisor / manager of retail sales. Potential for a paid apprenticeship.
Ready to apply?
Interested in becoming a student? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!